London Again!

At the beginning of last week I was heading to London again. This time to meet up with Nas Dean who does a wonderful job promoting mine and many other authors books.

One of my last blog posts for her was on travelling to Pisa in Italy, which was one of the destinations on Nas's travels.

Nas lives in Fiji and has been travelling around Europe and has been to so many destinations I haven't been able to keep up with her! I did arrange one special trip whilst she was in London and that was to the Mills and Boon offices.

Here we are with Flo Nicoll and Joanne Grant.

The next morning, I took an early morning walk around Hyde Park and had fun posting the images to Instagram as I went. You can see more of my Instagram photos at rachaelthomasromanceauthor

All too soon it was time to make the long train journey home during which I began working on my next book. I was in the fun situation of being on the train heading to Wales and on a Greek Island at the same time! I also indulged in a bit of longhand writing. I love going back to pencil and paper.

When I returned home, I completed revisions for my latest sheikh story and returned them to my editor. Now I'm back at my desk typing up all those pages I scribbled over on the train!

If you have a long journey to make, how do you pass the time?

Rachael
xx

At Mills and Boon

At the end of last week I was in London for the Romantic Novelists' Association's summer party and the announcement of the winner of the Joan Hessayon award, which this year was won by Kate Field with her debut novel The Magic of Ramblings.

This time my trip to London held much more excitement than catching up with friends at the Summer Party as I visited Mills and Boon's offices.

Whilst there, I took part in a live Ask the Author session which can be watched again on the Mills and Boon Facebook page. If you have any other questions you'd like to ask, leave a comment for me there!

Sadly it was soon time to head back to Wales but there was just time to enjoy a walk in Hyde Park and make the most of the sunshine!

There seemed to be an abundance of ducks, geese and swans with their little families. Too good a photo opportunity to miss.

I'm now back at my desk working on the revisions of my latest book - and, of course, thinking about the next story!

Rachael
xx

The Fun and Glamour of London.

I am back home on the farm after a few days away in London. I love being there, but it's even more fun when it's the annual Mills and Boon author's lunch, followed by Mills and Boon's Series Party.

I treated myself to a few days in London - all in the name of research of course! The first morning dawned bright and beautiful so I set off for a walk as the sun was coming up over St James's Park, which was busy with dog walkers and joggers.


I had a look at Buckingham Palace before the crowds arrived. I love being out and about before it gets busy.

After that, I met up with Chantelle Shaw and we stepped back in time to the court of Henry VIII when we visited Hampton Court Palace.

We toured the Tudor kitchens.

Through Anne Boleyn's Gateway

Then into the Great Hall

After that, we got ourselves a bit lost in the famous maze! At least we got back to London and were able to meet up with Kate Walker and Lara Temple for the evening.

On Friday was the main reason for my trip to London, the Mills and Boon author lunch and then the Mills and Boon series party at their offices, near The Shard, with stunning views over London.

Here's a photo of Chantelle and I at the Mills and Boon series party.

As usual, all good things come to an end and by Saturday afternoon, I was back in my overalls and wellies milking the cows!

Rachael

xx

Living the High Life - for a day or two!

Thursday last week was the Romantic Novelists' Association Summer Party in London and the annual award of the Joan Hessayon Award, for which several of my friends were nominated, but as usual I was too busy catching up with friends to take photographs.

I left home early on Thursday and after a quick walk along Aberystwyth sea front, caught the train to London. Quite a few hours later, I emerged from London's underground to the bustle of a city I love visiting.

Quite a contrast from the town I left behind, but there is so much to see and do in London that I never quite know where to start first.

My stories are full of glamour and London always gives me the opportunity of seeing a glamorous city in action. From chauffeur driven cars to the gorgeous shops, it's all very different from rural Wales. This time myself and a few friends had afternoon tea before the summer party -  yet more research!


On Friday morning I set off for a walk in St James's Park before heading back home on the train. At first it was peaceful and quiet and I enjoyed watching the pelican's on the lake.

Then everything changed as the Queen's Guards made their way to Queen's Guard Parade to the sound of their band.

All the excitement made me wish I was staying in London a little longer. Maybe next time!

Rachael
xx